I has a Christmas sad. When I got home from last night's family celebration of the holiday, I logged on and encountered the following all too familiar story.
It is hard enough for someone to learn how to deal with being transgender, but when it is conflicted with other mental health issues, it makes it so much more difficult.
Jay Ralko was a 22-year-old bipolar transman who went missing on December 10 from his home in Warren, MI.
The night he went missing, he left a note asking his roommate to watch his dog while he tended to an emergency. Then he left in his gray Ford Escape.
I believe he’s ill, my gut feeling tells me that he’s in a hospital somewhere and I’m praying that he is. We have a detective involved — he’s been to his workplace, questioning at the workplace. He’s called hospitals, we’ve called hospitals, we’ve been to hospitals. We’ve been to places that he’d been before — parks — anywhere we can think of that he’s been.
--Sherri Amorello, Jay's mother, on December 20
Since his disappearance, there had been “no record on his phone, no record on his bank statements, no record on his Blue Cross Card,” according to his mother, Sherri Amorello.
This did not end well.
Jay's truck was located Tuesday in a local parking lot. Jay's body was unfortunately found inside the truck.
Authorities have said that it appears he committed suicide, but an autopsy has been scheduled.
Ralko’s sister Molly posted on Facebook Tuesday that she was proud to be his sister and that Ralko had been through a lot.
Not many people would be able to get through what he has. He has struggled with so much in the last few years.
My only wish now is that all the pain has gone away and he has found peace.
--Jay's sister Molly
We would like to thank everyone that helped support us in our search to find Jay. If we could have one last word with Jay, we would tell him how proud we are of him. Not many people would be able to get through what he has. He has struggled with so much in the last few years, much of which none of us will ever understand. Our only wish now is that all the pain has gone away and he has found peace. We love you Jay and we will miss you.
--Jay Ralko's family
The Equality Michigan team is heartbroken over the loss of Jay, and we will continue to work with the family to support them in any way we can. We don't know if Jay's mental health played a role in this tragedy. However, we do know that, LGBTQ people are at higher risk of facing tough mental health situations. No one should have to go through that alone. We encourage anyone who is struggling with mental illness and depression to seek help and support. We ask that everyone join us in keeping Jay's family and friends in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
--Leah Taskiewicz, Equality Michigan